In Episode 91 of the Digital Velocity Podcast, Erik Martinez sits down with environmental scientist and sustainability expert Sheryl Barbosa to uncover how artificial intelligence (AI) is driving the next wave of sustainability for direct-to-consumer (DTC) businesses. Sheryl brings more than 20 years of experience across industries and business sizes, from Fortune 50 corporations to local nonprofits, and offers a unique perspective on how technology and environmental responsibility can work together to create measurable impact.

For DTC brands, these opportunities are vast and tangible. Erik and Sheryl discuss how AI can:
• Improve targeting in direct mail campaigns to minimize waste while maximizing response rates.
• Optimize packaging design, materials, and supply chain sourcing to cut down on excess materials and emissions.
• Enhance logistics by identifying smarter routing patterns that reduce fuel consumption and shipping costs.
• Forecast inventory needs more accurately, helping prevent losses from overproduction or spoilage.
• Identify cost-effective green alternatives that are now often cheaper than traditional materials, overturning the myth that sustainability is always more expensive.

Sheryl and Erik bring the conversation to life with real-world examples—from cutting down on direct mail waste to streamlining delivery routes—that illustrate how AI can drive both efficiency and sustainability. Their discussion shows how even small operational improvements can ripple outward, creating a positive impact not only for businesses but also for communities and the environment.

For leaders of direct-to-consumer brands, whether scaling a fast-growing ecommerce operation or running a locally rooted small business, the takeaway is clear: AI and sustainability are not competing goals but complementary strategies. When used intentionally, AI becomes a catalyst for reducing environmental impact, building brand trust, and unlocking new avenues of profitability—all while advancing a healthier, more sustainable future.

In Episode 90 of the Digital Velocity Podcast, Erik Martinez speaks with Lucas Petty, founder and CEO of AI Daddy, about how companies can strategically integrate artificial intelligence in their business and marketing processes to drive growth, innovation, and long-term success. Lucas shares his personal journey from having his own startup disrupted by AI to becoming an AI strategist and educator helping businesses adopt these transformative tools.

This conversation dives into why many organizations are still only dabbling with AI, and how fear, habit, and misconceptions often prevent meaningful adoption Lucas outlines a practical four-step framework for adoption—People, Process, Strategy, Tools—that enables teams to identify real pain points, build effective workflows, and achieve measurable ROI with human teams and AI working collaboratively together.

Listeners will learn:
• Why automating tasks without a people-first mindset leads to stagnation
• How to reframe AI adoption as change management rather than tool exploration
• The difference between horizontal AI tools (like chatbots, note takers, and researchers) and vertical, function-specific AI use cases
• Why simplifying AI governance and training employees on privacy settings is critical to protecting IP
• How successful AI adoption has helped companies realize revenue growth of 50% or more without additional staff

Whether you’re leading a DTC brand, scaling a marketing team, or rethinking enterprise processes, this episode offers a roadmap to integrate AI thoughtfully, balance efficiency with human expertise, and future-proof your business in an era of rapid technological change.

In Episode 89 of the Digital Velocity Podcast, Erik Martinez welcomes Evan Blumenthal, certified EOS Implementer and business revenue growth consultant, to unpack how the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) empowers businesses to overcome stagnation, clarify leadership roles, and drive meaningful, measurable progress.

Evan shares his personal journey from Walmart associate to family business executive to EOS consultant, explaining how this flexible yet structured framework helped revitalize a 147-year-old family-run company and can do the same for DTC and entrepreneurial brands struggling with misalignment, unclear vision, or process bottlenecks.

This episode is imperative for founders, executives, and team leaders seeking:

• Clear definitions for accountability and leadership structure through tools like the Accountability Chart
• Practical guidance on how to identify, discuss, and solve persistent business problems at their root
• How to use 90-day goals and short-term prioritization to accelerate long-term success
• A culture-first approach to growth, powered by shared core values and disciplined execution

Whether you're scaling a high-growth ecommerce brand, leading a lean marketing team, or stuck at a plateau in your business, Evan offers a compelling case for how EOS creates traction by helping organizations focus, simplify, and thrive—one quarter at a time.

Listen to learn how EOS can transform your business from reactive chaos to strategic momentum.